Unanswered questions casting shadow on $6.8B oil announcement, says Opposition

The Liberal government's announcement of a $6.8 billion offshore deepwater oil project is good news for Newfoundland and Labradoras long as a few pressing questions can be answered, saysOpposition natural resources critic Keith Hutchings.

In particular, the Progressive Conservative MHA would like the province to hammer out a firm agreement with the federal government over who will foot the bill for the project's payments to the United Nations.

• N.L., Equinor announce $6.8B offshore deepwater oil project

"All costs that comeoff this are coming off the royalties and benefits that can accrue to the partners, that can accrue to the federal government, and most importantly from our perspective, that can accrue to Newfoundlanders andLabradorians," said Hutchingson Sunday.

The Bay du Nord oil project, in the Flemish Pass Basin, will be developed about 500 kilometres off the coast of St. John's and at an approximate depth of 1,200 metres.

It could be the first oil field to fall under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which Canada signedin 2003.

• UN could cash in on N.L. oil project - but questions linger over who would pay

The convention requires countries to make payments to a UN body called the International Seabed Authority for the exploitation of resources like oil on the continental shelf beyond the 200 mile limit.

Premier Dwight Ball told CBC Thursday that the federal government will make the payments, but Hutchingspointed out that there is not yet a formal agreement about that.

"Just saying it's the federal government's responsibility is no guarantee," he said, adding that not having this worked out yet is "extremely worrisome."

Similarly, Hutchings said there are too many unanswered questions about the federal government's new environmental assessment process.

Heinsists that assessments should stay within the wheelhouse of the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board, the province's offshore regulatory body.

• Oil industry cautious about new federal environmental assessment process

"Why wouldn't the feds want to get this resolved so everybody can have a fair understanding of what the rules of the game are going to be going forward?"

Lessons from the past

Hutchings, who was first elected in 2007, was part of Danny Williams's Tory government when Newfoundland and Labradormoved off equalization payments.

• Have-not is no more: N.L. off equalization

There are lessons to be learned from how that windfall was handled, he said.

He believesthe government that holds powerwhen money begins to flow from the Bay du Nord project should create a four-year planwith annual spending caps and annual commitments to debt repayment.

"I think history has shown us we need to set targets and let the public know what those targets are in regards to expenditures and in regards to paying down your debt."

He thinks the Liberals'decision to buy a 10 per cent stake in the Bay du Nord was a good one, as long as governmentcan reasonably manage the loan it will need to make the purchase.

"[Equity] gives a return of the project over an extended period of time over and above royalties, which is always good," he said.

Safety and climate change

With the Bay du Nord project in 1,200 meters of water the SeaRose, for comparison, worksin 120 metres at the WhiteRose field Hutchings said the government needs enhanced safety regulations.

He acknowledged that the depth and distance from shore could also require new environmental regulations.

Climate change should alsobe part of the discussion around the project, he said.

Hutchingsis vocal about his opposition to carbon taxes, but said there is an opportunity to use some ofthe money earmarked in the Bay du Nordagreementfor the development of industry "innovation."

"Some of that innovation should be aimed at the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

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